Hoops across borders
A EuroLeague fan’s journey to appreciating Boston basketball
Let me make one thing clear: I still believe the EuroLeague is the pinnacle of basketball. The intensity, the fans—they’re unmatched. My loyalty lies with Anadolu Efes, a Turkish powerhouse and back-to-back champions from 2020 to 2022. They are my team, my pride, and my heartbreak, often all at once.
But Boston has this strange power of making you reconsider things. When I moved here, I wasn’t an NBA fan. Too polished, too commercial, too… shiny. But then I went to my first Celtics game at TD Garden last year, a matchup against the Hornets, and something changed for me.
It wasn’t just any game; it was a chance to watch Vasilije Micić, EuroLeague MVP and Anadolu Efes legend, on an NBA court. I’ll admit, I was there more for him than the Celtics. But watching Boston fans in action, I started to notice something familiar in the TD Garden atmosphere: the hustle and the love for their team. It reminded me of home, of Efes games, where fans cheer like their voices are the sixth man on the court.
By the end of the game, I was hooked on the Celtics too. The more I watched, the more I realized how different the EuroLeague and NBA are in their approach to the game, starting with the regular season.
In EuroLeague, the motto “every game matters” truly holds weight. With only 34 regular-season games, the margin for error is, well, non-existent. Just two wins can be the difference between finishing first or falling out of playoff contention entirely. This creates a mentality where teams approach every possession as if it’s their last. The stakes are so high that even regular-season games feel like playoff battles. The NBA, on the other hand, follows a different rhythm. With 82 games in a season and a generous playoff format, the stakes aren’t as high during the regular season. This allows for more room for players to showcase their individual talent. In contrast, EuroLeague emphasizes set plays and team-oriented style. Stars like Shane Larkin thrive, but they often share the ball and operate within a well-structured offense. Take Luka Dončić, for example, who went from being the disciplined wonderkid of Real Madrid to the NBA’s king of step-back threes and “I’ll do it myself” basketball.
Oh, and maybe the biggest difference is the fans. Away games in the EuroLeague can feel like entering a hostile fortress. Fans don’t just watch the game, they live it. The NBA crowd is passionate too, but it’s a calmer experience with halftime shows, kiss cams, music, and entertainment. It’s less “storming the gates of Valhalla” and more “let’s enjoy a nice night out with the family.” Both are great in their own way, but if you’re looking for sheer atmosphere, EuroLeague takes the crown. Don’t believe me? Just watch a regular season game like Partizan vs. Crvena Zvezda or Olympiakos vs. Panathinaikos.
Despite the differences, I think what connects these leagues is how their teams mean so much more than just what happens on the court. It’s not just about winning games, it’s about the pride and identity they carry for their fans. That’s what I’ve always loved about EuroLeague: the way a team can represent a city or even an entire country’s basketball tradition. And it’s what I’ve come to appreciate about the Celtics and Boston basketball.
When the Celtics made their finals run in 2024, I wasn’t just watching for fun, I was starting to feel what this team meant to Boston. Game 3 of the finals was unforgettable. After the win, I joined the crowd outside TD Garden. Fans were chanting, waving jerseys, and marching through the streets: it was pure Boston. When they finally clinched the championship, the city erupted.
The championship parade was chaos in the best way. Boston Common was packed with fans, the streets were completely shut down, and players were riding through with the trophy. It took me over an hour to make it back to MIT from Park Street that day! The celebration was about so much more than a basketball victory, it was about the city coming together, honoring its history, and sharing in something bigger. What made it even more meaningful was the milestone the Celtics reached. With their 18th championship, they officially became the team with the most titles in NBA history. It’s decades of success, a legacy built by generations of players. That history is part of what makes Boston basketball special.
It reminded me of the connection between Anadolu Efes and Istanbul, the way a team can bring people together and symbolize so much more than the game itself. Similarly, in places like Boston, I witnessed that the connection between the team and the city runs deep. Watching the Celtics’ fans celebrate, you could feel how much the moment meant, and as someone new to the city, I was grateful to be a part of it.
As a PhD student, moments like these are more than just fun, they’re a much-needed escape. Having something to break that cycle is essential. Basketball is that for me, both as a fan and as a player. Getting lost in the energy of the game, cheering for your team, and sharing that excitement with others is a way to recharge. It’s also a great way to connect with different places and people, by seeing how the game can mean so much to so many in their own unique way.
So, here’s my pitch: if you’re a EuroLeague fan, give the Celtics a chance. Explore the energy of Boston basketball and its rich history. And if you’re an NBA fan, dive into EuroLeague. Watch a game where every possession feels like it could define the season.
Basketball has a way of bridging worlds, and in discovering both, you just might find a new way to love the game.
Picture: Jayson Tatum with the trophy, Championship Parade 2024, Boston, courtesy of the author
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